Africa-Press – Namibia. Namibia’s application for membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
Cabinet approved the application for Namibia to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Cabinet also then further directed the Minister of International Relations and Trade to coordinate the technical updates to the dossier and to act as a focal point and to further establish an inter-ministerial committee tasked with implementing the NSG’s guidelines. In addition, cabinet further approved for a delegation at ministerial level to follow up and lobby the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Chairperson of the NSG on the margins of the General Conference in Vienna, Austria, to favourably consider Namibia’s application to become a member of this Nuclear Suppliers Group. Cabinet authorised the Ministry of Industries, Mines, and Energy to establish a national independent regulator and mechanisms of safeguards, safety, and security.
Strengthening and relaunch of the National Rightstart Early Childhood Development ECG Programme
Cabinet approved for this programme to be reignited in efforts to change behaviour and as a platform from which it can be relaunched on the 7th of August 2025.
In addition, cabinet directed the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture, Health, and Social Services to integrate Right Start into strategic and annual plans with a budgetary provision of N$1.5 million for each O/M/A per annum over five years. Furthermore, cabinet directed all O/M/As and regional councils to nominate a Right Start spokesperson. Cabinet supported a high-level advocacy of the Right Start programme through cabinet, parliament, the governors, regional and local authorities, the private sector, civil society organisations, and state and regional leaders across the country.
Bycatch management in Namibia’s fisheries sector
Cabinet approved for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform to impose actionable measures to reduce bycatch levels and implementation of the following measures to safeguard Namibia’s marine resources.
One, the implementation of a 2% bycatch threshold allowable to be retained by the company and bycatches exceeding this 2% threshold will be liable for bycatch fees and forfeiture at no cost to the government for governmental objectives.
Two, to increase the bycatch percentage fees from 15% as it stands to 50% as per section 44 of the Marine Resources Act of 2000.
Third, licence revocation for habitual offenders as well as licence suspensions either temporary or permanently depending on the severity of those violations. Four, quota deductions for severe violations in case of severe or repeated violations.
Authorities should have the power to confiscate fishing gear or even seize the vessels. Furthermore, in the event if a fishery exceeds by its bycatch limits, the excess should be deducted from its future quotas. And lastly, for the annual public listing of bycatch violators to be published to discourage non-compliance. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform will give an expanded explanation around this cabinet decision.
20th Ordinary Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment held in Nairobi, Kenya from the 14th to the 18th of July.
Cabinet took note of the outcomes of this particular meeting and recommendations adopted as follows: Namibia to serve as co-champions alongside South Africa to advocate for the importance of addressing drought management and resilience through a drought protocol under the United Nations Convention to Combat Drought, Desertification and Land Degradation.
Second, the strengthening of climate finance and budgeting mechanisms. Third, to advance circular economy and waste management reforms. Next, to support the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, as well as enhancing ecosystem and wetland protection, as well as promoting clean energy and responsible mineral governance and coordinating Namibia’s positions for COP30 on climate change and COP17 towards the end of this year and the year to come.
Source: neweralive
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